New York Giants DC Search: Latest Rumors, Speculation on Vacant Position
The New York Giants have reportedly ended their search for their vacant defensive coordinator position and have hired Steve Spagnuolo to fill the opening.
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Spagnuolo Named Giants DC
Thursday, Jan. 15
The Giants confirm they have hired Steve Spagnuolo as their new defensive coordinator:
Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News initially reported the news.
Spagnuolo, 55, spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens as the secondary coach. He previously served as the Giants' defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2008.
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported an updated list of potential candidates earlier on Thursday after deciding against Pepper Johnson:
Earlier, Albert Breer of NFL.com reported the Giants were looking to make a decision by the end of the week.
It appears they have now made their decision on Spagnuolo.
Giants Moving on from Pepper Johnson
Thursday, Jan. 15
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported Bills defensive line coach Pepper Johnson was told that the Giants would be going in a different direction with the hire.
On Monday, Jan. 12, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that Johnson had interviewed for the job.
Johnson was first linked to the position on Jan. 10 by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
New York Interviewing Dennis Allen
Tuesday, Jan. 13
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport revealed the Giants will interview former Raiders coach Dennis Allen:
Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News initially reported on the Giants' interest in Allen:
"The Giants are also interested in talking to former Raiders coach Dennis Allen about their defensive coordinator job, the Daily News has learned. Allen has been available since late September when he was fired by Oakland just four games into his third season as head caoch. Before that the 42-year-old was the defensive coordinator in Denver in 2011 – his only season as defensive coordinator in 13 seasons in the NFL.
It was not immediately known whether the Giants had already reached out to Allen or whether an interview has been scheduled. So far the Giants have interviewed Washington defensive backs coach Raheem Morris and Buffalo Bills defensive line coach Pepper Johnson for the job. Morris, according to a report out of Washington, is no longer a candidate for the job.
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Prior to Allen's stint in Denver, he was a defensive assistant on staffs in Atlanta and New Orleans. As a head coach, Allen finished his tenure with an 8-28 record before being fired and replaced by Tony Sparano.
Spagnuolo Reportedly Front-Runner for DC Job
Tuesday, Jan. 13
According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, Steve Spagnuolo remains the top candidate to be named as the Giants' defensive coordinator:
On Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Giants were expected to interview Spagnuolo.
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported that the Giants would be asking for permission to talk to Spagnuolo.
On Jan. 7, Nick Powell of NJ.com first reported Spagnuolo was a potential option for New York following Fewell's firing, which Bleacher Report examined at the time:
Giants Interested in Raheem Morris for DC Slot
Thursday, Jan. 8
The New York Giants are casting a wide net as they search for a new defensive coordinator following the firing of Perry Fewell.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the latest name brought into the mix is Washington Redskins defensive backs coach Raheem Morris:
Morris was named head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009, a position he held for three years. Following his firing in 2012, he took over as the Redskins' defensive backs coach and has been in that role ever since. This would be his first full season as a defensive coordinator in the NFL.
Joran Raanan of NJ.com reports the Redskins have given the Giants permission to interview Morris:
"The Giants asked for permission Thursday to speak with Morris about the position that was vacated when they fired Perry Fewell. It was eventually granted by the Redskins, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The interview will take place on Friday morning.
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Fewell was let go Wednesday along with secondary coach Peter Giunta. The team's official site passed along comments from head coach Tom Coughlin, who didn't place all of the blame on the coaches but rather said the team just needed change:
"No one person is responsible for what happened in this year. That has to be loud and clear. If there is any one person responsible, it is me. It is not Perry Fewell. It is not Peter Giunta. Both of them are outstanding football coaches in their own way. The simple fact of the matter is in the circumstance that we find ourselves, change is necessary.
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Nick Powell of NJ.com previously reported most of the top defensive minds, such as Dan Quinn of the Seattle Seahawks and Todd Bowles of the Arizona Cardinals, are candidates for head coaching jobs. He also noted Rex Ryan would be a good fit, but the former Jets coach wasn't interested in a demotion.
Mike Nolan, Jim Schwartz and Mike Smith are some of the other notable names listed by Powell.
Whichever coach is ultimately chosen will have plenty of work to do. The Giants defense ranked 29th in the league in total yards allowed. Breaking down the problems further, it checked in 18th against the pass and 30th against the run.
Getting the defense back toward the league average would be an accomplishment in 2015. It seems like New York is going to consider several options before deciding which one has the best chance to make that happen.
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